Latest news with #CCO
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Trio of councils move ahead on water plan
The three councils left in the Southern Water Done Well scheme have each voted to move ahead with the venture. The Central Otago District Council reaffirmed its decision to form a jointly owned Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) with its Southern Water Done Well partners — Gore and Clutha district councils — at a meeting on Tuesday. Gore did the same and Clutha District Council also decided to go ahead. All councils confirmed their Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP), which set out the future water services delivery model. Councils must submit their WSDPs to the Department of Internal Affairs by September 3. The decision comes after modelling showed that a southern jointly owned CCO remains the most affordable option for the future delivery of water services, even following the departure of SWDW foundation partner Waitaki District Council. — Allied Media
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
SWDW venture to go ahead
The three councils left in the Southern Water Done Well scheme have each voted to move ahead with the venture. The Central Otago District Council reaffirmed its decision to form a jointly owned Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) with its Southern Water Done Well partners — Gore and Clutha district councils — at a meeting on Tuesday. Gore did the same and Clutha District Council also decided to go ahead. All councils confirmed their Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP), which set out the future water services delivery model. Councils must submit their WSDPs to the Department of Internal Affairs by September 3. The decision comes after modelling showed that a southern jointly owned CCO remains the most affordable option for the future delivery of water services, even following the departure of SWDW foundation partner Waitaki District Council. — Allied Media
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Smartsheet Appoints Stephanie Berner as Chief Customer Officer to Champion Customer Success in New Era of Growth and AI Innovation
Experienced B2B SaaS leader to implement customer-centric initiatives to drive market leadership BELLEVUE, Wash., August 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smartsheet, the AI-enhanced enterprise-grade work management platform, today announced the appointment of Stephanie Berner as Chief Customer Officer (CCO). As the company embarks on a new chapter of accelerated growth and innovation, Berner's appointment reinforces the company's commitment to customer satisfaction and underscores the company's vision to deliver exceptional customer experiences at every touchpoint. In this role, Berner will champion a new era of customer success, pioneering innovative strategies that embrace AI to deepen customer relationships and drive sustained value across the entire customer lifecycle. "We're thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the Smartsheet team," said Sunny Gupta, Acting CEO and Executive Chairman of the Board. "Her experience in the work management market, proven track record and deep understanding of the B2B SaaS customer journey will be key as we enter a new era of AI-driven innovation. Stephanie will be an integral leader in our next phase of growth, ensuring we are doing everything possible to make our customers successful." Berner brings over 15 years of distinguished leadership experience from industry B2B innovators, including Atlassian and LinkedIn, where she was crucial in building and scaling high-performing teams. Her proven expertise in navigating global growth, from pre-IPO to international enterprise, positions Smartsheet to enter new markets and redefine customer success as it integrates transformative AI capabilities into its platform. "I am thrilled to join Smartsheet at such an instrumental moment," said Berner. "The company's reputation and success are founded on a passionate and loyal customer base, a cornerstone I'm excited to build upon, and we have an incredible opportunity to leverage Smartsheet's AI-driven innovation to further delight our users and forge new pathways for customer success." As CCO, Berner will be vital in defining and executing a comprehensive customer strategy, ensuring every Smartsheet customer receives unparalleled value and support. Her leadership will be critical in fostering deep customer relationships, maximizing lifetime value, and transforming users into passionate advocates. About Smartsheet Smartsheet is the modern enterprise work management platform trusted by millions of people at companies across the globe, including over 85% of the 2025 Fortune 500 companies. The category pioneer and market leader, Smartsheet delivers powerful solutions fueling performance and driving the next wave of innovation. Visit to learn more. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Lisa Henthornpr@
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Mayor's vote seals decision to go with CCO
Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers. PHOTO: ODT FILES A mayoral casting vote was needed to decide how Three Waters services will be delivered in the Queenstown Lakes district. After nearly three hours' debate at a full council meeting yesterday, Mayor Glyn Lewers used his vote to ensure council staff's recommended option of a council-controlled organisation (CCO) won the day. Councillors were evenly split on the issue, despite 77% of the 118 submissions received during community consultation favouring the retention of Three Waters services in house. In her report for councillors, strategy and reform manager Pennie Pearce said submitters' main concerns about a CCO had either already been addressed by her original analysis, or would be dealt with by amendments to the government's "Local Water Done Well" reforms. Since submissions had opened in June, amendments had been made to the Local Government (Water Services) Bill that strengthened the case for a CCO, Ms Pearce said. Asked by Cr Esther Whitehead whether the council's recommendation showed a disregard for the consultation process, chief executive Mike Theelen said it was not a "game of numbers". He urged councillors to make their decisions "based on the information and evidence before you". The decision means the council will transfer the district's drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets — and associated liabilities — to a CCO, but will be its sole shareholder. Ms Pearce's analysis projects average annual water charges for households to be 10% lower under a CCO in the long term, compared with the in-house model. The CCO will operate independently from the council, with its own specialist board and management, although amendments to the Bill will require CCOs to consult with the community on matters of significance. The council's debt is expected to significantly decrease, giving it more headroom for other capital spending. Property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery told councillors a CCO would be "singular in its purpose", faster to respond to changing circumstances and better placed to secure debt and expertise. Cr Lisa Guy said the small number of submissions — about 100 from a population of more than 50,000 — did not represent a mandate for keeping the status quo. Many submitters had opposed a CCO, but also criticised the existing model for its delivery of Three Waters services. "If we're in agreement the status quo isn't delivering, how can we not be open to a model that might provide us with hope of doing it better?" Cr Niki Gladding said they were making their decision in a "fear and pressure environment" arising from repeated staff warnings of how central government might react if they chose the in-house model. "Neither option is the status quo. Both are an improvement. "I don't see why we can't achieve the benefits of a CCO — bar losing the debt — with an excellent in-house model." Cr Matt Wong said he was wary of basing his decision on cost, because he was sceptical about the accuracy of financial projections over such a long time period. They were under pressure from the government to make a decision based on highly complex information and a great deal of uncertainty, and he joked he would "need a coin" to make his. "I hope the public listening today is not going to judge any one of us on which way we vote."
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Major rates increase forecast for district
It was a case of more bad news for Waitaki ratepayers this week, with suggestions big rates rises could be coming sooner and more often than first thought, as the district tries to fund a financially sustainable in-house water services unit. There was also bad news for those who might be elected to Waitaki District Council in the October elections. As part of the government's Local Water Done Well reforms, councils throughout New Zealand must submit a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to the Department of Internal Affairs by September 3. The Waitaki District Council last month voted that would be done through an in-house business unit, rejecting three other options including a joint council-controlled organisation (CCO) with the Central Otago, Clutha and Gore district councils. On Tuesday, it held a second weekly workshop to refine a draft plan to be put to Internal Affairs for initial feedback this week. Following the first workshop, councillors heard a rates rise of 25.61% in the 2028 LTP year would be needed to fund the in-house plan (it might also rise to about 30% if depreciation of water assets was included in the WSDP). This week, the council's chief financial officer Amanda Nicholls told the meeting if depreciation was included the 2028 rates rise would need to be 42.55%, with another "significant" increase needed in 2035. However, Mayor Gary Kircher suggested including the depreciation earlier than 2028. Doing so would ease the needed rates rise but bring it forward, Ms Nicholls said. Mr Kircher said he did not think there was a choice. It would mean a 25% rates increase for next year, followed by a 30% hike the following year. He recognised that also meant leaving it to the new council (following the local body elections in October) to redo the long-term plan and try to reduce the rates rise by cutting capital projects. "There's a lot of stuff that council has to do between now and agreeing on that annual plan to cut costs elsewhere," Mr Kircher said. The existing long-term plan was put together under the understanding that the council would adopt a joint CCO water services model, as it had previously said that was its preferred choice of model.
